ANALYST VIEWS: HOW HAS SPORTS DIRECT PERFORMED

Mike Ashley is incredibly market aware when it comes to capitalising on opportunities like the World Cup or other big sporting events, and when it comes to knowing what will fly off the shelves he has no peer in the realm. These solid results are just an endorsement of that ability.

KATE CALVERT | SEYMOUR PIERCE

The business has performed in-line with expectations and it is still on track to deliver full year earnings of £195m after a £10m charge for the bonus share scheme. We were forecasting full year earnings of £190m and are increasing this to £200m this morning, given the momentum in the business.

MATTHEW MCEACHRAN | SINGER CAPITAL MARKETS

Overall the business is well placed although we are not changing out forecast. The company had a good first half to the year and benefited from the World Cup but things have become a bit tougher since then. They are going to be pretty cautious into next year but they will want to begin to gearing up for the Olympics and a successful 2012.